The Beginning of Ruukki's Spinning Mill
Life is full of unexpected encounters that can change the entire course of life. This happened to two young women at the gate of the Helsinki Rajasaari dog park in the spring of 1987. From this meeting of two giant schnauzer brothers and their owners began a lifelong friendship. Years later, a unique company was also born, unlike any other in the world.
Years passed and the friends lived their lives separately. In 2004, Sini brought the first alpacas from Chile to Finland. The fleeces were sent all the way to England for spinning, because there was no mill in Finland suitable for fine and lanolin-free alpaca wool.
This gave rise to the idea of having our own spinning mill that spins fine-quality fibers. At the same time, the longtime dream of friends to start a business together was also realized. Leena's family lived in the charming and unique Mathildedal ironworks village, where premises were acquired for the spinning machines and a small shop.
The premises were found in an old carpenter's workshop. A pasture was made for a herd of nearly 40 alpacas in a central location of the village, and since then the alpacas have been part of the charm of the Mathildedal ironworks village.
Image. Mathildedal village alpacas in 2014.
10 years of spinning mill operations
Operations began in 2012. Acquiring spinning machines was a bold leap into the unknown, as neither Leena nor Sini were professionals in the handicraft field. But through trial and error, the friends succeeded in creating artisan yarns with the spinning machines, each batch completely unique. Handicraft enthusiasts across Finland fell in love with the yarns, and nowadays, professionally designed knitting patterns are also available, allowing you to knit the most wonderful alpaca garments yourself.
Image. Finland Handicrafts fair booth in 2022.
Alpaca Royal
Over the years, Ruukki's Spinning Mill also developed its own clothing line, which is now called Alpaca Royal. Alpaca Royal is named after its very high-quality raw material (Royal grade alpaca fiber <18µm) as well as its luxurious softness and comfort. The Alpaca Royal collection has many loyal users domestically, and now the journey is heading towards the Central European markets.
In 2023, the spinning machines were sold to Tove and Henna in Inkoo, who set up a new spinning mill
Linkulla Spinnerin. With the spinning work discontinued, resources have been focused on promoting Royal-quality alpaca garments and expanding the collection.
"We want to be pioneers in responsible and high-quality alpaca clothing production and to spread the good news of the incredible properties of high-quality alpaca fiber."
Sustainability as a lifestyle
Responsibility has been the guiding ideology of friends from the very beginning, long before it became trendy. Ecological, economical, and often overlooked social responsibility are principles that guide all decision-making situations.
Forward with creative madness
The years have included challenges, such as Leena's injury and the pandemic period, but these have been overcome with creative thinking and bold solutions. The entire entrepreneurial story of the friends is best described by creative madness, which is nevertheless based on strong expertise and hard work.
Olemme lehdistä saaneet lukea, kuinka suomalainen vaatetusalan yritys on yksi toisensa jälkeen ajautunut konkurssiin tai lopettanut toimintansa. Syynä on usein se, että ulkomaalaisten pikamuotiyritysten kanssa on mahdotonta lähteä kilpailemaan, kun ihmisillä on muutenkin taloudellisesti tiukkaa.
We believe, however, in people's desire to make better choices for nature and humanity. And we know that a durable and high-quality product is ultimately a more economical purchase than the cheap products of fast fashion companies. Because the customer, in the same amount of time it takes to wear out one product from us, has to buy several, if not dozens, of new clothes.
We also have repair and maintenance services that can beautifully restore even clothes that are years old to usable condition.
-Leena and Sini
